Research administrator vs research project coordinator

The differences between research administrators and research project coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a research administrator and a research project coordinator. Additionally, a research administrator has an average salary of $52,667, which is higher than the $48,683 average annual salary of a research project coordinator.

The top three skills for a research administrator include research administration, customer service and principal investigators. The most important skills for a research project coordinator are data collection, patients, and project management.

Research administrator vs research project coordinator overview

	Research Administrator	Research Project Coordinator
Yearly salary	$52,667	$48,683
Hourly rate	$25.32	$23.41
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	99,798	67,800
Job satisfaction	2	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a research administrator do?

A research administrator oversees the progress of research programs, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities mostly revolve around devising strategies to optimize processes, coordinating different departments, setting goals and objectives, managing the schedule and budgets, and maintaining records of all transactions. There are also instances when a research administrator must produce progress reports, participate in gathering surveys and feedbacks, and resolve issues promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as a research administrator, it is essential to lead and encourage team members to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a research project coordinator do?

Research Project Coordinators take on a lead role in maintaining and creating processes that support the execution of a research project. Their duties include researching governance requirements, preparing for contract bidding, manage budgeting of a project to meet a specified timeline, and present findings of a project to all stakeholders involved. The Research Project Coordinator will also support administrative tasks, including producing corporate reports, organizing committee meetings, and developing a research database to track active milestones achieved.

Research administrator vs research project coordinator salary

Research administrators and research project coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Administrator	Research Project Coordinator
Average salary	$52,667	$48,683
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $67,000	Between $36,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Middletown, CT
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Connecticut
Best paying company	Kronos Incorporated	Dignity Health
Best paying industry	Health Care	Professional

Differences between research administrator and research project coordinator education

There are a few differences between a research administrator and a research project coordinator in terms of educational background:

	Research Administrator	Research Project Coordinator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Psychology
Most common college	Stanford University	Duke University

Research administrator vs research project coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between research administrators' and research project coordinators' demographics:

	Research Administrator	Research Project Coordinator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4%	Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.3% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between research administrator and research project coordinator duties and responsibilities

Research administrator example responsibilities.

Create and manage multiple computer databases using SAS and SPSS, ensuring data up-to-date and accurate.
Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
Prepare complex NIH clinical research proposals involving coordination with several clinical research sites.
Assist with new patient eligibility evaluation, registration, and coordinating protocol relate care of patients enroll in clinical trials.
Train in GCP, ICH, FDA, and local regulations for drug and device trials.
Attend HIV treatment information meetings in Washington, D.C.

Research project coordinator example responsibilities.

Manage study documentation throughout study life cycle including IRB annual renewals, modifications, patient study charts and regulatory binder.
Recommend administrative revisions to IRB submit studies including inform consent documents.
Demonstrate small molecule are protective against DNA damage in mouse model of melanoma.
Conduct analysis using SPSS which result in developing a new software for students to selecting college.
Conduct primary research through interviews with Boston area travelers and analyze raw data into reports via SPSS.
Maintain FDA correspondence and government documentation.

Research administrator vs research project coordinator skills

Common research administrator skills

Research Administration, 10%
Customer Service, 8%
Principal Investigators, 7%
PIS, 6%
Pre-award, 6%
Payroll, 5%

Common research project coordinator skills

Data Collection, 12%
Patients, 9%
Project Management, 6%
Public Health, 5%
IRB, 5%
Data Analysis, 4%

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Research Administrator
Research Administrator vs Research Project Coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

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